Although similar, synonyms have subtly different meanings and are used in different contexts. For example, the words calculate, cipher, cypher, figure, reckon and work out are all synonyms of each other because they have roughly the same meaning, but there are subtle differences. Test your synonym knowledge.

XX 1. A parent faced with a rebellious teenager may try to _6__ him to do his homework by threatening to take away his allowance, for example, _6__ed to graduate from high school by her eagerness to leave home.

2. ___ is a little stronger, suggesting the exertion of power, energy, or physical strength to accomplish something or to subdue resistance, for example, his mother ___ him to confess that he'd broken the basement window.

XX 3. _1__ can imply the use of force, but often stops short of using it, for example, she was _1__ed into obedience by the threat of losing her telephone privileges.

XX 4. _3__ means compel, but by means of restriction, confinement, or limitation, for example, _3__ed from dating by his parents' strictness.

5. ___ and ___ make an action necessary by imposing certain conditions that demand a response, for example, her mother's illness ___d her to be more cooperative; it also ___d giving up her social life.